What's Included?

Description

With AstroSolar™ the Sun appears in neutral white. Other films and some glass filters produce a blurry bluish or reddish Solar image, thereby cutting part of the spectrum. Especially with an orange sun, it is very hard to see faculae regions which are visible predominantly in the blue wing of the spectrum.

Due to it's neutral color balance, AstroSolar enables the use of various color (or interference) filters which allows the observer to concentrate on certain spectral passbands for investigations of different layers within the solar "atmosphere".

Eye safety

AstroSolar™ is essentially free from pinholes, since - other than with even the most expensive glass filters - it is coated on both sides, so that the chance of two pinholes overlapping each other is extremely faint. Pinholes do appear, but to 1 out of 10000 only in optical density 2.5! Baader AstroSolar™ safety film has been approved for eye safety by the National Bureau of Standards in Germany, the PTB. Unlike any other Solar Filter on the market, AstroSolar™ is CE-tested according to EG-Norm 89/686 and EN 169/92 ( notified body 0196). All processes connected to this product have been thoroughly tested. Coatings are inspected constantly for consistency to ensure your eye safety!

The fit was good, easy to put on, be careful not to over tighten the screws. Only bad thing is that you have to handle it very carefully. I would have like to...Read complete review

The fit was good, easy to put on, be careful not to over tighten the screws. Only bad thing is that you have to handle it very carefully. I would have like to seen a plastic case or something other then a cardboard box to store it.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

Good product, but recommend caution

This is the first solar filter I have ever used so I don't have much to compare it against. I have used it about 4 times now for several hours. It does what it...Read complete review

This is the first solar filter I have ever used so I don't have much to compare it against. I have used it about 4 times now for several hours. It does what it is advertised to do and gives great crisp white light viewing of the Sun. The one major concern I have with this filter is the ring that retains the filter is not very deep at all. The thumbscrews barely catch the edge of my scope tube. This is cause for concern if you have ANY amount of wind while solar viewing. A simple basic fix is to use scotch tape or something similar and tape from the ring to the scope in several places just for that added security and warm feeling. The filter material seems quite sturdy and as I haven't suffered eye damage after hours of solar viewing, I would say it is highly effective so long as your filter doesn't get blown off of your scope. I couldn't rate the product higher than average because of this concern, considering how important eyesight is. The fitting might be less of a concern in smaller aperature scopes, but for a scope the size of mine or greater (254mm), the filter is a huge windsail without proper support.

Once again I am very pleased with my Hayneedle purchase. Shipping was prompt & I was all set for solar observation within a few days. I was unsure of which one to order. I submitted the measurements of my optical tube diameter to Hayneedle & recieved an email within 24 hours telling me what model to order. The first time out of the gate I was impressed with the clarity and detail of the sun that the film allows. Using different colored eyepiece filters allowed even more detail. I was skeptical of the Baader film in favor of a glass filter, but I was not disappointed. I'm sure I'll have many enjoyable hours observing the star that gives us life. Sunspots are readily visible as are magnetic fields The Astro Zap solar filter fits it like a glove & solar observations are very rewarding at the right times.I suggest getting a tupperware or similar container to store it in. As with all astronomy equipment,they are very delicate. I've never had a problem with Hayneedle & look forward to purchasing much more from them in the future. Thanks to Mark M @ Hayneedle for his helpful advice. Well worth the price to enjoy yet another one of the many wonders in our grand universe. Clear skies.

This solar filter performed super! The only thing was I had to drill small indentations on the telescope since the end of my scope was flared. Once I did that, it was a snap to install and use. I am very pleased and highly recommend this filter.

This was a gift requested by my astro-husband and he is completely pleased! Since receiving it for Christmas, he has spent several days out in the winter cold, but clear sky, observing the sun and all it's glory. The filter arrived quickly, as promised, and was/is exactly the wanted item. Thanks

Customer Q & A

A: No, the AstroZap Solar Filter for Meade ETX-80 telescopes will not fit an ETX-90 scope. Instead, you'll need the fiter made for the ETX-90. Here's the URL; just paste it into your browser's address window: http://telescopes.com/products/astrozap-baader-solar-filter-for-meade-etx90-34653.html.

Q2: Is this a glass filter for a Meade 12 SCT.
Karl

A: Baader solar filters were once made of optical glass, but are no longer. How they're made of a high-strength, polymer film that's ion-implanted and metallized. Each side of the film is coated to guard against pinholes. The polymer filters are considered better than the coated glass filters of just a few years ago.

Q3: hello, can I use this filter with a newtonian telescope of 9.5" in the primary mirror?. The las question, is it 12" the diameter of the aluminum ring or of the filter?. Thank you.

A: You might measure the outside diameter of your telescope and let us know. We'll then check to see if we have a solar filter that will work for you.

Q4: Hello,
i have a Meade LX 200 12" telescope and need a solar filter. The outside diameter is ~345 mm.
Thanks

A: The AstroZap Baader Solar Filter for 12-Inch SCT's, which you've already found, should do the job nicely.

Q5: Can I put this item on my Celestron FirstScope 114 EQ Short Newtonian Reflector? Thanks.